PARNELL 'MAID' IMPRESSION IN HOMECOMING WIN

With junior maid Baylee Parnell, senior maid Linley Garrett, and 2024 Basketball Homecoming Queen Lexi Franklin combining for 38 points the Lady Bearcats throttled Two Rivers 49-34 Friday night.

Parnell (shown) led the way with 19 points and eight rebounds, Franklin scored 13 and pulled down eight rebounds as well and Garrett had both six points and rebounds.

Sophomore maid Anna Ferguson was unable to contribute in the win over the Conference 3A-4 second place Lady Gators, but is expected to be cleared to play next week.

It was Parnell who was particularly sparking after changing from maid gown to her basketball uniform. She hit a 3 to put the first points on the scoreboard and the Lady Bearcats never trailed to move to 5-6 in conference action.

Parnell would score seven of the first nine points of the night for the Lady Bearcats who by then led 9-1 and she closed the first quarter scoring with a basket in the paint and it was 19-6.

Then with nine points Parnell had already set a career high – topping the eight at Cossatot River on Thursday night – but she was far from finished.

The lead reached 17 just 35 seconds into the second quarter but Two Rivers chipped it down to 11 only to have Angie Brown score and then hand out a pair of assists to Parnell over the final 1:18 of the half to push it back to 17 at 30-13.

Brown had seven assists in the game.

A couple of Two Rivers 3s started the second half scoring and it was an 11 point difference again but Garrett answered the second 3 with a 3 for the Bearcats and they set about rebuilding the lead to as many as 18 when the Brown to Parnell pairing made it 39-21.

Two Rivers scored the next five points to again trail by 13 at the end of a quarter for the third time but Parnell struck again with a 3 early in the fourth quarter, then added a free throw after a pair of Franklin baskets and it was 47-28 with 2:36 left.

After muscling a rebound away and being fouled on a shot attempt Ciara Smith got two free throws with 2:18 left and the lead was a game best 21 at 49-28.

Two Rivers would score the final six points of the night but there would be no spoiling of homecoming night.

The Lady Bearcats are back in action Tuesday when they host Danville to start another three game week, all of which are at home.